Generation Rent appoints new Director

Posted by Dan Wilson Craw1632.20sc on May 12, 2015

Generation Rent announces today that director Alex Hilton is stepping down from his role. He will be leaving the organisation on Friday 15th May. Betsy Dillner, currently Community Campaigns Manager at Generation Rent, has been appointed Director in Alex’s place.

Betsy joined Generation Rent in January 2014 as the Community Campaigns Manager and has been leading the development of local grass roots campaigns across the country. She has dedicated her career to building power of marginalised communities to campaign for a better future. Before moving to the UK she worked as a community organiser in the USA, engaging on various issues including housing, immigration, health care, and finance sector reform. She holds a BA in Women's and Gender Studies from American University and a MA in Community Organising from Queen Mary University of London.

Stephen Battersby, chair of Generation Rent, said:

“As the first Director of the organisation, Alex has raised housing up the political agenda and highlighted the plight of private tenants, which for too long has been ignored by national and local politicians. Alex has raised the profile of the organisation beyond our wildest dreams and this should enable us to increase the number of supporters and also encourage others to work with us to help private tenants who are disadvantaged.

“The Board has great confidence in Betsy and her appointment also highlights that working within private tenants at the community level is a priority area.”

Alex Hilton said:

“The housing crisis is the biggest issue of our era and it has been a privilege to be part of Generation Rent. However, I have decided that the one piece missing among a diverse range of housing campaigners is a credible and effective political voice. I now intend to work full time on creating and building that voice.

“We have a new government, an opposition uncommonly receptive to ideas and a growing body of people demanding change. I know that Betsy has the steel and the energy to take advantage of the opportunities to empower renters.”

Betsy Dillner said:

“In 18 months Generation Rent has built up incredible momentum and I look forward to building on the work Alex and the team have done. The housing crisis continues to cause hardship for renters and their families and we will remain at the forefront of the growing movement to fight it.”